Christmas Eve As A
Genealogist(Adapted
- Author Unknown)
This came to us via email - it was originally from the Jeff
Feeser Family.

"Twas the night
before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
The dining room table with clutter was spread,
With pedigree charts and a letter which said,
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote
It sank in a storm on an ill fated boat."
Stacks of old wills, and deeds and such
Were proof that my work had become a little too much.

Our children were
nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was
ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and of such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I forgot.

Had I not been so busy
with grandparent's wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills.
While others had bought gifts that would bring much cheer;
I'd spent time searching for a birth date and year.
While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A noise on the lawn gave me much fright.

Away to the window I
flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.
Then, what to my wandering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

Up to the housetop the
reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and old Santa Claus too.
And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof.

The TV antenna was no
match for their horns
And look at my roof, with footprints adorned.

As I drew in my head,
I bumped on the sash;
Down the old chimney fell Santa - KER-RASH!
Dear Santa had come from the roof like a wreck,
He tracked so much soot - (I could ring his short neck!)
As he spotted my face, good old Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit, you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word,
but went straight to his work
And filled all the stocking, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought such gladness and joy;
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.
He spied my research on the table all spread.
"A genealogist!" he cried. (My face was all red!)

"Tonight I've met a lot like you," Santa grinned;
As he pulled out from his sack a book he had penned.
I gazed with amazement - the cover it read:
"Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead."
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug,"
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.
"While elves make the sleigh full of toys that I carry,
I do my research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I can thus bring
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing.
Now, off to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs with gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling into
bed, I heard Santa's whistle,
And his team then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"